Carteret Man Who Killed Woman & Set Fire To Her Home Receives Life Sentence

NEW BRUNSWICK — A Carteret man was sentenced today to a life prison term for strangling and robbing a woman before setting fire to her home more than two years ago, Middlesex County Acting Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey announced.

Harpal Singh, 48, also was ordered to serve 85 percent of the term, or 63 years and nine months, before he can be eligible for parole for killing Balwinder Kaur, 44, of Jansen Avenue in the Avenel section of Woodbridge on Feb. 14, 2011.

He was sentenced in New Brunswick by Superior Court Judge Diane Pincus after he was convicted on Oct. 7 of felony murder, aggravated manslaughter, robbery, aggravated arson and hindering his apprehension.

During a trial that began on Sept. 10, Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Scott LaMountain, Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Surman, and Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Neil Casey presented evidence and testimony showing the defendant broke into the victim’s home and strangled her.

During the break-in, Singh stole cash and jewelry and then set fire to the victim’s house to conceal the crime before fleeing.

An investigation by Detective Shayne Bodnar of the Woodbridge Police Department and Investigator Michael Daniewicz of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office led to the arrest of Singh, who was apprehended outside his home on March 11, 2011.